When you arrive in Italy please have your passport ready to show the customs officer. There is usually a line for residents and line for travelers from the U.S. and other destinations.

Yes,  a customs officer will usually stamp your passport.

Once you arrive in the United States please have your passport ready to clear customs.

Please write that you were in Italy on your customs form and fill out the rest of the customs form as you normally would.

Yes, although we are happy to help you look for the best routes, travelers book their own flights. Please make sure to ask us which city you need to fly into before purchasing your tickets.

You can fly to Sicily from your home airport. Please ask your representative if you have trouble finding flights. Sometimes it is less expensive to purchase a ticket to Rome, Venice or Milan and then take a separate internal flight.

Yes, flights to Sicily count towards rewards or frequent flyer points. Please remember to enter your frequent flyer miles when booking the flights.

Yes, please remember to bring all of your prescription medications in their original bottles. You can also bring over the counter medicines such as Aspirin, Advil, Pepto Bismol, Immodium etc. in case you need them. They may have similar brands in the local pharmacies.

-Sunscreen, hats and sunglasses

-A few nice outfits for dining or shows

-A converter to charge your electronics for your hotel electricity outlet as many are 220 volts

-Casual daytime clothes-there is a laundry service available at most hotels

-Bathing suit for the beaches and some hotels have pools

-Insect repellant

-Contact lens solution

-Feminine hygiene products

-All toiletries including toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss

-Bandages, creams and ointments

-Any over the counter medicines you may need

-A light jacket for rain or chilly weather-please check the weather forecast before your trip!

-Most hotel rooms have hair dryers but you may prefer to bring your own

American cell phones generally work in Sicily. Please check with your provider on plans and pricing. You can also buy a SIM card and use it during your stay. Please keep in mind that the phone needs to be unlocked to use a SIM card.

Most major hotels do have Wi-Fi access. Wi-Fi may be spotty in smaller towns.

You may buy art, souvenirs, ceramics, jewelry, clothing and many more items.

The official currency in Sicily is the Euro.

There are official exchange places and commissions vary. We highly recommend you carry ATM cards and Visa/Mastercard for purchases.

You can bring a small amount of Euros or dollars in case you need to change but it's best to use ATM's or credit cards which are widely accepted.

Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted, some merchants also accept American Express, Please let your card company know that you will be traveling and ask them if they charge foreign transaction fees.

Tipping is not expected at restaurants but you can leave a couple of Euros and that will be appreciated.

Bus Drivers: 5 euro per day
Guides: 10-12 Euro per day per person

Local Guides: 5 Euros per person

For the most up to date rates. you can check the conversion rates before your trip at http://www.xe.com/ 

Please keep in mind the value of the euro against the dollar may change daily.

Yes, but you will need to pay a commission to change it back.

For customs you need to declare anything in excess of 12,500 Euro and in the United States you cannot exceed 10,000 dollars.

Calls to the United States from Sicily vary in price depending on your plan, We recommend buying a SIM card and using your phone with data on whatsapp.

Taxis are quite expensive in Sicily and varies from town to town. Uber is an option now. Please ask your tour leader if you need help with transport outside of your tour time.

•  Uber is now available in major cities in Sicily – it is less common to find available drivers in the smaller towns.
• Use the Uber app to hail a traditional Taxi – The Uber app in Sicily will also provide information on regular  medallion taxis in the area.
• Taxis are strictly regulated in Italy – There are some pretty strict rules that taxi drivers need to follow in order to obtain and keep, their licences. As a result, Uber had an uphill battle with the Italian government so as not to provide unfair competition with the taxi services.
• Taxi drivers will tell you that Uber is illegal – Don’t worry, Uber is perfectly legal. You will not get into any trouble by using the service in Sicily.

Tickets start at 20 Euro and up for shows in Sicily. A great place to see a show is the Teatro Massimo in Palermo. One of the largest opera houses in Europe, Teatro Massimo is renowned for its incredible acoustics and has over 1,300 seats. The venue hosts more than 125 music, opera and dance events annually.

Yes, every American that travels to Italy will need a valid United States passport. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after your trip dates. If you need a new passport please contact us and we can suggest expedited passport renewal services if necessary. If you do not have a US passport please check to see whether you need to apply for a Schengen Visa.

Please see the link below to check if the country's passport you hold requires you to apply for a Schengen visa.

https://www.schengenvisainfo.com/who-needs-schengen-visa/

No, U.S. Citizens can travel to Italy for up to 90 days with a United States passport. Please consult with us if you do not have a U.S. passport.

Yes, it is very important to bring a photocopy of your passport  In the event that you lose your passport, a passport copy is very useful for obtaining a new one at the consulate. If you are buying tickets or attending a game or concert you will need your passport.

Trip cancellation insurance is highly recommended. Please ask your representative for information on how to purchase a specific policy through our recommended insurance provider.

Sicily is generally a very safe country. Basic common-sense precautions should be taken against petty crimes like pick pocketing as in any other country.  Please use common sense and avoid wearing expensive jewelry and using expensive camera equipment while walking alone.

Sicily is a very safe country. It is practically unheard of that a woman would be assaulted in Sicily. Some men will catcall or try and complement women. In this case when you ignore them they will generally leave you alone. Most Sicilians are very respectful. We do suggest however that you do not walk alone on dark streets and try to have someone else with you if it is late at night.

In the case of sickness or injury you will be taken to a clinic or hospital immediately. We highly recommend travel insurance to cover any unexpected expense due to illness.

No, you do not need any special vaccinations to travel to Sicily.

We recommend drinking only bottled water in Sicily.

Sicily boasts some of the most incredible food on the planet. There are traditional foods and desert such as Pasta a la Norma, Cannoli's, Arancini (rice balls), Brioche with Gelato etc. The culinary experiences range from incredible street food, to family run restaurants and  Michelin star establishments. There is something for everyone in Sicily!

Eating out in Sicily is not expensive. Pasta and pizza dished typically cost around €10, meat dishes cost around €16, a bottle of water is around €2, desserts €5 and coffee €2.

Dinner at Michelin Star restaurants can range anywhere from 20 Euro to several hundred. We will provide you will a list of dinner restaurant recommendations before you get to Italy and we can make all of your reservations for you.

Yes!

If your hair dryer is 120V or 125V only then it will not work in Europe with just an adapter plug. Check the label and look for INPUT AC 120V - 240V.

Most wall sockets in Sicily are the EU standard plug type C, F  or L. An all-in-one adapter would be suitable for all Italian wall socket types. Please bring a converter to charge your electrical items.

A number of US wireless providers offer roaming in Sicily, so please check with your cellular provider for details and cost.

Yes, Wi-Fi is available in your hotel, in restaurants and many hotspots around town.

Many Sicilians that you will interact with speak some English. You will be accompanied by a bi-lingual guide who will be able to make any necessary translations. Most of our participants do not speak Italian and it is not at all necessary for travel to Sicily.

Here are some recommended options for learning some Italian before your trip.

1. Duolingo - easy to use and will quickly improve your Italian
2. Babbel - this app lets you pick your level of Italian to suit your level of knowledge
3. Mondly - this app helps with the different tenses of Italian verbs

For more in depth courses please see the following resources:

Rosetta Stone Italian Course http://www.rosettastone.com/

The best way to learn is to practice with the locals. Come visit Sicily with us and learn to speak Italian!

Thousands of years old, the island is overflowing with unique traditions and exciting cultural influences. Sicily has been influenced by Greek, Roman, Arabic, Norman, Spanish and other cultures, and it is a place full of unique symbols, beliefs, and food.

Pictured above: Taormina's Greek Theater which still holds concerts to this day. 

In Sicily, the weather various depending on the time of year you visit. Throughout the year the temperature varies from 50 degrees Fahrenheit to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. The summer months are warm, dry and clear. The winter months are cool, wet and windy.

The average temperature in Sicily is above 80 degrees Fahrenheit from the months of June to August. With August being the hottest month of the year. The best time of year to visit Sicily for any outdoor activities is from May to July as the temperature ranges between 65 degrees Fahrenheit and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. For beach/pool, the best months are from early June to September as the temperature ranges from 75 degrees Fahrenheit to 90 degrees Fahrenheit.

The cooler months in Sicily are from December to April with average temperatures in the low 60s. The coldest month of the year in Sicily is February with temperatures ranging from the low to high 50s.